Controller.



A. STERN. CONTROLLER. M PucATlou msu n^n.21. 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOH WlT/VESSES /l/M@ KQM Patentedlune 29,1915.

A. STERN.

CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2l. 1914.

1,144,872. l Patented June 29,1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

///////////// l I if l -z-n ////////////7////////////////////// NMR/VHSnanna' STERN, or YoNxEns, NEW Y'onx.

CONTROLLER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 29, 1915.

Application led Iarch 21, 1914. Serial No. 826,250.

To all whom z't-may concern Be it known that I, ALBERT STERN, a subjectof the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Yonkers in the county ofWestchester and the State of New York, have invented a new and ImprovedController, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

My invention relates to controllers for electric circuits, and hasreference more particularly to a device of the make and bre-ak circuittype.

An 'object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact, eflicientand inexpensive controller which combines durability and accessibilityof the working parts thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a controller which becomesoperative when the control lever of the same has reached a predeterminedposition and has been released.

A further object of the invention is to provide a controller whichpositively makes and breaks the circuit, the making of the circuit beingobtained by prolonged contacts, so as to supply the current through aperiod of time.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a revolublecontroller operable only in one direction and which can be placed in anypredetermined intermediate position or brought to its normal position bya continuous movement of the controllers lever.

Another object of the invention is to provide a controller whereby amake and break of the circuit can be made independently of thecontrolling mechanism whereby normally the make and break of the circuitis obtained. v

I attain these objects by a structure disclosed in the accompanyingdrawings forming a part of the specification, in which similarcharacters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the viewsand where- 1n*- Figure 1 is a face elevation lof the controllerembodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line 2-2; Fig.3; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a sectionon line 4-4, Fig. 3, showing the making of the circuit; Fig. 5 is a planview of the main ratchet wheel; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line6-6,

Fig. 3; and Fig. 7 is a section on line 7-7,

Fig. 4, showing the detail of the contact making mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, 7 represents the support, which preferablyforms a slightly raised bottom of a short topless cylinder 8. A tubularstandard 9 is mounted in the axis of the cylinder and is rigid with thebottom or support 7, said standard progecting above the open end of thecylinder and orming an aXle for the transmission 'mechanism 10. Thetransmission mechanism comprises a sleeve 11 mounted to rotate on thestandard 9, the lower edge -of which is spaced from the support 7 by theshoulder 12 forming part of the standard 9. Rigidly secured to the lowerend of the sleeve 11 is a pair of disks 13 and 14 which are spaced fromeach other by means of portions 15 depressed from the disks 14 andforming from said pair of disks a gear, so to say, of which the portions15 form teeth. The number of teeth formed by the portions 15 is alwayseven and equal to twice the number of signals to be controlled by thedevice.

The upper end of the sleeve 11 is reduced in diametery so as to form aguide for a coil spring 1G carried by a spring barrel 17 which ismounted to rotate on the sleeve 11 and the standard 9, which standardprojects through the centrallv apertured upper end 18 of the barrel. Theupper end 18 of the barrel rests on the upper edge of the sleeve 11;while the lower open end of the barrel,

' through where the coil springr 16 is inserted,

is made to engage a part of the sleeve 11. By means of this engagementof the lower open end of the barrel and the apertured top end 18, thesaid barrel is guided properly on said sleeve and standard. The lowerendof the barrel is also provided with a flange 19 resting Von a shoulder20 forming part of the sleeve 11, and which shoulder properly spacessaid ange 19 from the disks 14 carried by the sleeve 11. The coil spring16 has one of its ends secured to the upper end 18 of the barrel, whilethe other end of said spring is engaged by a pin 20 rigid with thesleeve 11. The said spring, therefore, couples the transmissionmechanism with the spring barrel; and when the transmission mechanism isprevented from movement, the coil spring 16 can be wound by turning thespring barrel; and when the Therefore, it may be stated that the springl16 forms the motor whereby the transmission mechanism is actuated.

Mounted between the disk 14 of the sleeve and the ange 19 of the barrel17 is a travel controller 2.1 formed of a washer 422 mounted to rotateon the shoulder 20 of the sleeve, said washer having a lateralprojection 23 which is adapted to abut against a projection 24 formed onthe disk 14 by raising a portion thereof, as best shown in Fig. 4. Thewasher 22. is also provided with annpward vertical projection 25diametrically opposite the projection 23, -which projection 25 engages acut-out 26 in the flange 19 of the spring barrel 17. This cut-outaffords a complete revolution of the transmitting mechanism. V.

The flange 1 9 of the spring barrel is provided with a lateral extension27 forming an arm, at the end of which a spring-actuated pawl 28 ismounted. The movement of said pawl is limited bya cut-out 29 formed inthe extension or arm 27 (see Fig. 6). A spring 30, which actuates thepawl, normally tends to force the same away from the barrel so as toengage an 1ndented ring 31 rigidly secured atthe open end of thecylinder 8. This indented ring forms the ratchet for the pawl 28. Itwill be noted that the angular displacement between the indentures 32 isuniform.

Mounted to rotate on the spring barrel 17 is a driving mechanism 33comprising a sleeve 34 engaging the barrel 17 and through which thebarrel projects. The lower end of said sleeve rests on the flange 19 ofthe spring barrel and thereat having a laterally extending arm 35 whichbears with its extremity 36 on the indented ring 31 to form anadditional support adapted to relieve the stress on the barrel when thesame isset in motion by means of the conv trolling crank arm 37 which isrigidly secured to the upper end of the sleeve 34. The motion from thedriving mechanism to the spring barrel is transmitted by means of amember 38 rigid with the upper. end of the spring barrel 17 projectingthrough the sleeve 34, said member 38 having a laterally extendingindicating hand 39 depressed into a slot 40y formed in the controllingcrank arm 37, thus coupling the driving mechanism to the spring barrel.In turning the controlling crank arm 37 the spring barrel is caused toturn on the transmission mechanism 10 and the tubular standard 9.

Mounted to rotate on the driving mechanism 33 is a transmissioncontroller 41,

consisting of a sleeve 42 mounted to rotate on the sleeve 34. The sleeve42, is provided with a ratchet wheel 43 bearing on the arm 35. Adjacentthe upper end of the sleeve 42 is a member 44 rigid with' the sleeve andhaving a laterally extending arm 45 which is provided at the end with anelongated slot 46 engaged by a crank 47 which projects through theindented ring 31 into the cylinder 8. To the projecting end of saidcrank is secured a spring actuated pawl 48.- The pawl 48 bears on a pin49 carried by the support 7, said pin 49 and the engagement of the crank47 with the indented ring 31 guiding the movement of the pawl 48 on thesupport 7. The coil spring 484 which influences the pawl 48 normallyforces 'the same toward the lateral surface of the cylinder 8.

The sleeve 34 of the driving mechanism, adjacent the bottom, is providedwith a lateral extension 50 which is preferably diametrically oppositethe arm 35 of said sleeve. Mounted on said extension 50 is a springactuated pawl 51 engaging the ratchet 43, whereby the transmissioncontroller 41 is connected to the driving mechanism. It will be notedthat the ratchet 43 is indented, as shown at 52, so as to lock the sameby the pawl. 1n turning the driving mechanism 33 the sleeve 42 iscarried therewith. Thus the crank 47 is turned, bringing the pawl 48against the lower disk 13, the edge of which forms a ratchet 53 andwhereby the transmission mechanism is prevented from turning 4until saidpawl is released. The slot 40 in the controlling crank arm 37 issuiiiciently wide to permit an angular displacement of the drivingmechanism to bring the pawl against the ratchet 53 before the sameengages the hand 39 whereby the coil spring 16 is wound. Thedisplacement of the controlling crank arm 37 from the position shown infull line in F ig. 1 to the position shown in dotted line in the sameligure, brings the pawl 48 against the ratchet 53.

A further movement of the crank' arm 37 forces the pawl 51 out ofengagement with the ratchet 43, which is prevented from turning furtherby the engagement of the pawl 48 with the transmitting mechanism. Thisdisplacement of the controllin Icrank arm 37 also forces the pawl 28 outof engagement with the indented ring 31 and thus winds the spring 16.The spring barrel 17 in its movement carries therewith the travelcontroller 21 due to the engagement of the cut-out 26 with the verticalprojection 25 of the travel controller. When the pawl 28 is permitted toengage any of the indentures 32 in the` ring 31, the spring barrel 17 islocked to the indented ring 31. Releasing the controlling crank arm 37,the spring 48 will disengage the pawl 48.bringing the other Y contactwith the indicating hand 39. This hencel blockin disengagement of thepawl 48 with the ratchet 53 `leaves the transmission mechavnism free torotate, .and the same is turned by the stressed coil spring until therojection 24 on the up er disk 14 brings tiie vertical'projection o thetravel control against the straight shoulder 54 of the cut-out 26, itsfurther movement. That is to say, in t e normal position of the device,as shown in'Fig. 1, the pawl 28 engages the indenture 32 in the disk 31.The lateral projection 23 of the travel control abuts against theprojection 24 of the transmission. To insure disengagement ofl theratchet 53 from the pawl 48 a coil spring 55 is provided under the arm35 of the driving mechanism. The spring is attached at one end to theextension 50 of the mechanism and with the other end to the lateralextension 27 of the spring barrel 17. The tendency of this spring is tohelp the spring 48 to disengage the pawl from the transmission mechanismand therefore to always bring the controlling crank arm 37 from theposition shown in dotted line in Fig. 1 to the position shown in fullline in the same iigure.

Rotatably mounted on the support 7 is a toothed sector 56 which has araised portion 57 fitted between the disks 13 and 14 of the transmissionmechanism to be engaged by the portions 15. The sector 56 is providedwith a second raised portion 58 resting at an insulating pin 59 underthe action of a spring 60, shown best in Fig. 7, said insulating pin 59being carried by the support 7. A toggle 61 of insulating material isrotatably mounted on the support 7 adjacent the raised portion 58 of thesector. A resilient contact member 62 rests against the toggle 61; and asecond resilient contact member'63 is normally spaced from the contactmember 62 by the engagement of the extremity of said Contact member 63with the insulating pin 59. The toggle 61 is provided with a lat-- eralextension the raised portion 58 of the sector.

Then the sector 56 is turned on its pivot by the members 15, the springis wound until the engaging member 15 releases the raised portion 57 ofthe sector and permits the spring 60 to bring the raised portion 58 ofthe sector against the pin 59. The eX- tension 64 of the toggle is sopositioned that there is substantially no displacement of the togglewhen the sector is moved by the transmission mechanism, and, therefore,there is no contact between the contact members 62 and 63. But when thesector is returned to its normal position by means of the spring 60,there is a large angular` displacement of the toggle, causing a perfectprolonged contact between thc contact mem- 64 adapted to be engaged bybers U and 63, as shown in dotted line in Fig. 4. The contact membersand toggle 61 return to their normal position due to the resiliency ofthe Contact members 62 and 63.

To prevent a too rapid movement-of the sector 56 under the action of thecoil spring 60, a regulator for said spring 60 is formed by providingan' escapement which meshes with the sector 56. The escapement consistsof a double pawl 65 engaging a ratchet 66, both mounted on the support7, and a pinion 67 rigid with the ratchet 66 and in mesh with the sector5 6. By means of this escapement, a too short contact between thecontact members 62 and 63 is prevented by the spring 60 which causes thecontact.

To prevent a too rapid movement of the transmission mechanism under theaction of the coil spring 16, an escaping mechanism is provided for thetransmission mechanism, said escaping mechanism comprising a double pawl68 controlling a ratchet wheel 69, both mounted on the support 7, and apinion 70 rigid with the ratchet 69 and in mesh with a gear 71, whichgear is formed by downward depressions in the disk 13 of thetransmission mechanism. This escapement regulates the movement of thetransmission mechanism.

The contact members 62 and 63 are insulated from the support 7 by whichthey are carried and from each other by an insulating member 72. Thebinding posts 73 and 74, which secure said contact members 62 and 63respectively to the support secure also to the under side of the supportcontacting members 75 and 76 respectively. The contacting members 75 and76 are located in the recess o the cylinder 8 formed by the raisedbottom, which forms the support 7, and are insulated from each other andfrom said support 7 by an insulating member 77. The contacting members 75 and 76 extend so as to be superposed opposite the bore of the hollowstandard 9. plunger 78 engages the bore of the standard 9. The lower endof the standard is reduced in diameter and receives an insulated bushing79 which connects said plunger to the contacting member 75 whileinsulating the same therefrom. `The upper end of the plunger projectingthrough the standard 9 is provided with a head 80 which limits themovement of the plunger in the standard, whereby the engagement of thecontacting members 75 and 76 is obtained.

A cap 82 fitting on to the projecting end of the plunger 78 is removablysecured thereto by means of a pin 83 (see Fig'. 3) which has a singleresilient coil engaging a groove 84 formed on the cap. This cap forms aretainer for the plunger 78 in the tubular standard 9, and also aretainer for the spring barrel 17. That is to say, while said cappermits the rotation of the spring barrel, it prevents the axialmovement of the same, and it also prevents the removal of the plungerfrom the standard 9, although it permits itsaXial displacement forproducing the contact between the conacting members and 76, as best seenn The mechanism of the controller below the controlling crank arm 37 isinclosed in a casing formed by the cylinder 8 and a cover therefor. Thecylindrical portion 86 of the cover fits snugly on to the cylinder 8 toform a smooth exterior, lateral surface, which lateral surface formed bysaid cylindrical portion 86 of the cover and the cylinder 8, is, inturn, fitted snugly into a cup 87, forming the means whereby thecontroller can be secured to any'suitable place. The cover 85, above thecylinder portion, is provided with an annular shoulder against which thecup abuts. The portion of the cover 85- above the shoulder is so shapedas to make it neat in appearance. The top of the casing is apertured tofit on to the upper end of the sleeve 42 forming part` of thetransmission. controller. The lower face of the controlling arm 37 isprovided with an annular recess 88 concentric with the sleeve 34. A softwasher 89 is positioned in said recess whereby the case formed by thecover 85 and cylinder 8 is perfectly closed, thus making the sameweatherproof. The top of the cover 85 is also provided withidentilication means 90 forming a dial for the controller, and for whichdial the hand 39 is an indicator. The angular distance between theidentification means 90 is equal to the annular displacement between theindentures 32 in the ring 31, between the teeth of the ratchets 53,those of the ratchet 43, and twice the angular distance between themembers 15 of the disk 14 in the transmission mechanism. It isunderstood that the position of the identiication means on the cover,that of the indentures 32'of the ring 31, and of the ratchets 53, areproperly correlatedy so' that when the pawl 28 is in any of theindentures 32 of the ring 31 the hand 39 is opposite a correspondingidentification mark 90 and the pawl 48 ready to engage one of the teethof the ratchet 53.

From the above description 1t w1ll be noted that the transmissionmechanism is set in motion by the unwinding of the coil s ring 16 whenthe controlling crank arm 37 is released. That is to say, the coilspring 16 must be first energized before. the same can turn thetransmission mechamsm. The same action is necessary for causing thecontact between the contacting members 62 and 63, that is, the coilspring 60 whichdproduces the contact must be first energize before thesame can produce the contact. It

will be `further noted that when the con-` trolling crank arm 37 isrotated, the same may be brought to its original position by acontinuous rotation before the transmission mechanism is set in motion,the complete revolution being obtained, as previously stated, byprovision of the cut-out 26 in the flange 19 of the spring barrel. Itmay also be remarked that if the controlling crank arm 37 is released atany intermediate position between the indentures 32 of the 75 ring 31,the coil spring 16 will force the 4 same back to thenearest indenture32, when the pawl 48 will release the transmission mechanism. Thisstructure prevents the 0peration of the device at any intermediate pointexcept those that are previously determined.

The identification characters on the cover 85, as shown in Fig. l, arerepresented by the letters O, S, R and L. The reason for this is thatthe device is intended for use in connection with annunciators to becarried by self-propelling vehicles. The letter O on the contrivanceillustrated indicates the neutral or normal position of the same, and,therefore, of the annunciator connected thereto. The letters S, R and Lrepresent Stop, Right and Left, for indicating the anticipated movementof the vehicle. It will be also noted that when the controller handle ismoved from the neutral position, that is, from letter Oto any of theother letters, as e. g., the letter R, the annunciator will be operatedwhen the controlling handle is released and the controller will make andbreak four contacts. For eX- ample, the controller crank arm 37 has beenset in motion to bring the annunciator to the desired place, and ifduring its movement it is desired to bring it again to the normalposition, that is, to make a complete revolution, the same can be donewithout any interference therefrom, as has been previously described andstated. Furthermore, assuming that the indicating hand 39 is po- 110sitioned on the letter S and it is desired to bring the handle to theneutral position, the indicator will continue to revolve in the samedirection as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. Or, sup ose it is`desired to move 116 the indicator agaln to S, it is not necessary inthis case to stop the movement of the crank arm 37 at the neutralposition, z'. e., at O, but the same can be moved to S. Therefore itwill be seen that a complete revolu- 120 tion of the controlling crankarm 37 can be made from any osition in which the controller findsitself. When the controlling crank arm 37 has been displaced to adesired angle, z'. e., to any of the letters, to bring the 125 said armand, therefore, the contrivance to the neutral or normal position, therevolution of the crank arm must be com leted, as the device is onlyrevoluble in one 'rection.

While the device is mainly intended for 13o use in connection.withannunciators for .selfpropelling vehicles, the same can be used as atransmitter of electric im ulses, as, by means of my device, by a petermined angular displacement of the controlling crank arm 37, apredetermined number of electric impulses is sent. That is to say, ifthe controlling lever is moved through an angle of ninety degrees, asshown in the accompanying drawing, there will be two impulses. If it ismoved through one-hundred and eighty degrees, there will be Afourimpulses; and if moved through three hundred and sixty degrecs, therewill be eight impulses. And, as above stated, the number of four oreight impulses can be made from any desired point in which thecontrolling arm 37 finds itself. It may also be remarked that while thecontrivance herein disclosed shows four predetermined positions of thecontrollin lever, any other number can be provide z'. e., three, six,eight, or any other number can be made. In all cases, the angulardistance between the identification means remains equal. It isself-evident in this case that the indentures in the ring 31, ratchet53, ratchet 43, and the number of members 15 formed between the disks 13and 14 inthe trans-- mission mechanism, must be correspondingly changed.It is self-evident that the identification marks 90 on the cover willvary in accordance with the use of the contrivance.

By means of the plunger 78, impulses can be sent through the same linewithout moving the controlling crank arm 37 and the mechanism connectedthereto. By means of this plunger, the means controllable b v thecontrivance herein disclosed are brought in proper relation when thedevice is set up, or when by any inadvertence the same has becomedisorganized. As, for example, assuming that the controlling arm is atthe neutral position while the annunciator shows Stop, bv actuating theplunger the proper number of times the annunciator is brought to theneutral position, thus corresponding to the position of the controllingarm.

In short, my invention consists of a movable contact, a coil springhaving winding and unwinding ends, an operating handle adapted tolockthe unwinding end while the winding end is displaced by the handleand release the unwinding end when the winding end is locked, with meansfor transmitting the movement from the unwinding end to the movablecontact.

It is evident that various changes might be made and modificationsresorted to in the construction and arrangement of the parts describedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention; hence, I donot wish to limit myself to the exact construction shown.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim asr'new and desire to secureby Letters Patent: l

1. In a circuit controller ofthe-make and break type, a pair of contactsnormally tend-l ing to remain apart; a member-adapted to bring saidcontacts together; a'second member for operating said first member; aspring associated with the second member; and manually operable meansassociated with the las: mentioned member whereby said spring can beenergized a predetermined number of times, thus causing a correspondingnumber of contacts by the engagement of said second mentioned memberwith said first mentioned member.

2. In a circuit controller of make and break type, a pair of resilientcontacts normally tending to remain apart; a toggle bearing against oneof said contacts; a member for displacing said toggle whereby thecontacts are brought together; manually operable means having a varyingvrange of movement for displacing'the member apredetermined number oftimes by a single displacement of said manually operable means; and aresilient member for restoring the above member to its normal position,the resiliency of said contact member engaging the toggle restoring thesame to its normal position after the same has been displaced by' saidmember. I

3. In a circuit controller of make and break type, a pair of resilientcontacts normally tending to remain apart; an insulated toggle bearingagainst one of said contacts; a toothed sector having means fordisplacing said toggle whereby said contact members are broughttogether; manually operable means having a variable range of movementfor displacing the sector, said sector lbeing adapted to be displaced avariable,

tor in normal position after the same has been displaced by saidmanually operable means, said sector displacing said toggle when thesame is restored by said spring to y its normal position, said resilientcontacts being" adapted to restore said toggle to its normal positionafter the same has been displaced by said sector; and an escapementmechanism meshing with said sector whereby the speed of said sector iscontrolled.

4. In a circuit controller of make and. break type, a pair of resilientcontacts normally tending to remain apart; an insulated toggle bearingagainst one of said contacts; a member for actuating said toggle; aresilient member for bringing said member to inoperative position; andmeans for displacing said member from its inoperative osition apredetermined number oftimes y a single displacement of said means, saidtoggle and member being so related that when A:as

said member is displaced from its normal position by said means there issubstantially no displacement of said toggle, but when said member isrestored by the spring to its normal position, a material displacementof the toggle takes place before the same can pass said member, wherebysaid contacts are brou ht together.

5. n' a circuit controller of make and break type, a pair of resilientcontacts normally tending to remain apart; an 1nsulated toggle bearingagainst one of said contacts ka member for actuating said toggle; aresilient member for bringing said member to inoperative position; andmeans for displacing said member from its inoperative position apredetermined number of tunes by a single displacement of said means,said toggle and member being so related that when said member isdisplaced from its normal position by said means there is substanltially no displacement of said toggle, but when said member is restoredby the spring to its normal position, a material displacement of thetoggle takes place before the same can pass said member, whereby saidcontacts are brought together; and a regulator associated with saidmember for regulating its movement caused by the spring tendingtorestore said member toits normal position and whereby the contact causedby the toggle is prolonged'.

6.- Ina circuit controller of make and break type, a pair of resilientcontacts normally tending to remain apart; an insulated .toggle engagingone of said contacts; a.

toothed sector having means adapted to displace said toggle; means forangularly displacing said sector; a coil spring for restoring saidsector to its normal position after the same has been displaced, saidsector and toggle being so related that there is substantially nodisplacement of said toggle by said sector when the same is displaced bysaid means, but causing a large displacement of said toggle when saidsector -is restored to its normal position by said spring, thus causinga prolonged contact between said contact members; and an escapementmechanism in mesh with said sector whereby the speed of the same isregulated when the same is restored to its normal position by saidspring, said toggle being restored to its normal position after thedisplacement of said sector by the resilient contact engaging saidtoggle.

7. In a circuit controller of the make and break type, a pair ofnormally separated contacts; means for bringing said contacts together;manually operable means having a variable range of movement foractuating said first means a variable, predetermined number of times bya single displacement thereof; and means for' maintaining said manuallyoperable means at different predetermined positions, said first meansbecoming operable when said manually operable means have been released,said manually operable means remainin stationary during the operation ofthe rst means.

8.l In a controller, circuit make and break means, including a movablecontact and a mechanism for operating the movable contact apredetermined variable number of times, said mechanism comprising amotor, a transmission between the same and the movable contact and anoperating handle for energizing the motor, having a variable range ofmovement, the energy of the motor Abecoming available and transmitted too rate the contact after the displacement o the handle and its release,said handle remaining stationary during the working of the motor.

9. In a controller, circuit make and break means, including a movablecontact and a mechanism for operating the movable contact apredetermined variable number of times, said mechanism comprising a coilspring having a winding and an unwinding end, an operative handle,including means for winding the spring, means controllable by saidhandle whereby the unwinding end is retained while the winding end ismoved by the handle and when the unwinding end is released the windingend is retained, and means for transmitting the movement from theunwinding end of the spring to the movable contact.

10. In a controller, circuit make and break means, including a movablecontact and a mechanism for operating the movable contact a.predetermined variable number of times, said mechanism comprising amotor. transmission means between the same and the movable contact, anoperative handle for energizing the motor, means operable by the initialmovement of the handle locking the transmission during the energizationof the motor, said means locking the transmission automaticallyreleasing the same when the handle is released, whereby the energizedmotor actuates the movable contact through the medium of thetransmission means.

11. In a controller, circuit make and break means, including a movablecontact and a mechanism for operating the movable contact apredetermined variable number of times, said mechanism comprising aspring having a winding and an unwinding end, a spring barrel receivinthe spring and engaging the winding en an operative handle associatedwith the barrel, transmission means engaging the unwinding end of thespring and adapted to transmit the movement of the spring to thecontact, means controllable by the handle whereby the transmission meansis locked when the barrel Y vend of the spring, a

barrel is locked the transmission is released by said handle, thedisplacement of the barrel by the handle energizing the spring, and therelease of the transmission means by the handle after the displacementof the barrel denergizing the same, whereby the .a transmissionmechanism between the same and the movable Contact, an operating handlefor energizing the motor, said transmission becoming operable when thehandle is released, said transmission means including a gear and anescapement mechanism in mesh with said gear for controlling the speedthereof when the same is moved by the motor, said handle remainingstationary during theworking of the motor.

13. Ina controller, circuit make and break means, including a movablecontact and a mechanism for operating the movable contact lapredetermined variable number of times, said mechanism comprising aspring having a winding and an unwinding end, a barrel carrying saidsp-ring and engaging the winding end, means for locking the barrel inpredetermined positions, a transmission mechanism engaging the unwindingend of the spring and adapted t0 transmit the movement of said end tosaid movable contact, an operative handle associated with said barrel,means controllable by said handle adapted to lock the transmissionmechanism and unlock the barrel, thus ret Y .ining the unwinding end,while the windipg end of the spring can be moved by the operating'handle, said means controllable -by the handle releasing saidtransmission means after said barrel` has been locked, whereby theunwinding end of the spring is free to move and operate the movablecontact.

14. In a controller, circuit make and break means,l including a movablecontact and a mechanism for operating the movable contact apredetermined variable number of times, said mechanism comprising a coilspring having a winding and an unwinding end, a spring barrel engagingthe winding transmission engaging the unwinding end, whereby themovement of said end is transmitted to the movable contact, yieldingmeans associated with the barrel whereby the same can be locked indifferent predetermined positions, an operating handle associated withthe barrel, and means operable by the initial movement of the handlewhereby the transmission means are locked before the barrel is unlockedby said handle and moved to any desired, different, predeterminedposition, said means operable by the initial movement of the handleautomatically releasing said transmission mechanism when said barrel islocked and said handle is released, thus permitting the unwinding end'to move and opi erate the-contact.

15, In a controller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanism,including a movable contact in said casing, and a mechanism invsaidcasing for operating the movable contact a predetermined variable numberof times, said mechanism comprising a spring having a winding and anunwinding end, a barrel carrying the spring and engaging the windin end,a mechanism engaging the unwin mg end and adapted to transmit itsmovement to the contact, an

operative handle associated with the barrel and positioned outside ofthe casing, whereby said barrel can be displaced through variablepredetermined distances and retained in said displaced position, meanscontrollablel-by said handle whereby said transmission mechanism islocked when said barrel is moved by said handle and whereby saidtransmissionis released when said barrel is retained in position, andmeans controlling the displacement of said barrel and transn-iission`means after of the, barrel.

y 16. In a controller, a casing, a circuit` make and break mechanism,including a movable Contactin said casing, and a mechanism in saidcasing for operating the movable conta-ct a predetermined variable numiber of times said mechanism comprising a motor, transmission-means fromthe motor be energized in di erent predetermined degrees, anda travelcontrol associated with the motor and thetransmission whereby thedisplacement -o' the transmission by the motor is controlled.

17. In a `lcontroller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanism,including a movable contact in said casing, and a mechanism in saidcasing for operating the movable contact a predetermined variable numberof times, said mechanism comprising a motor, an operating handle on theoutside of the casing. for energizing the motor in variable degrees,transmission means from the motor tothe movable contact, saidtransmission means becoming operable after the motor has been energized,and means controlling the displacement of said transmission by themotor.

18. In a controller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanism,including a movable contact in said casing, and a mechanism in saidcasing for operating the mov'- able contacta predetermined variablenumber of times, said mechanism comprising a spring having a winding andan unwinding end, a barrel'garrying said spring and enthe displacementvgaging the winding end, a spring-operated pawl carried by said barrel,said casing having a ratchet adapted to be engaged by said pawl andwhereby said barrel can be mamtained in predetermined positions, atransmission mechanism associated with the unwinding end whereby themovement thereof is transmitted to said movable contact, an operatinghandle outside of the casing and associated with said barrel whereby theengagement of said barrel with the ratchet can be varied, means operatedby the initial movement of the handle locking the said transmissionmeans while the barrel is moved by thehandle, said means automaticallyreleasing said transmission means after the barrel `has been displacedand the handle released, and means controlling the relative displacementof the transmission means with reference to the barrel. 19. Inacontroller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanism, including amovable contact in said casing, and a mechanism in said casing foroperating the movfable contact a lpredetermined variable num- "ber oftimes, said mechanism comprising a coil spring having a winding and anunwinding end, a barrel carrying the spring and engaging the windingend, transmis'- Agsion means engaging thev unwinding end and adapted totransmit the movement thereof to said movable contact, means carried bythe barrel whereby the same is yieldingly locked to the casing, anoperative handle outside of the casing andassociated with the barrel,means connecting the handle to the barrel so that the same has initialfree movement thereon, means associated with the handle and adapted tolockthe transmission means by the initial movement of the handle, saidtransmission remaining locked during the displacement of the barrel,said yielding means being adapted toretain said barrel in anypredetermined position when displaced by said handle, said means lockingthe transmission means automatically releasing the same when said handleis released, and travel control means carried by the barrel whereby acorresponding displacement of the transmission means is obtained tothat' given by the handle to the barrel.

20. In a controller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanism,including a movable contact in said casing, and a mechanism in saidcasing for operating the movable contact a predetermined variable numberof times, said mechanism comprising a spring havinga .winding and anunwinding end, a barrel carrying said spring and engaging the windingend, a spring actuated pawl carried by the barrel, said casing having aratchet adapted to be engaged by said pawl and whereby the same can beretained in predetermined positions and rotated in a ria-essapredetermined direction, a transmission mechanism engaging the unwindingend of the spring and adapted to transmit the movement thereof to themovable Contact, transmission travel control means engaging thetransmission mechanism and whereby the winding and unwinding ends of thespring are normally maintained in a fixed relation, an operating handlemounted to rotate on said barrel outside of said casing, a memberconnecting said barrel to the operating handle whereby said handle hasan initial movement thereon before it engages the barrel, meansassociated with the handle where, by the initial movement thereof, thetransmission mechanism is locked, remaining so during the displacementof the barrel, said means locking the transmission automaticallyreleasing the same after the displacement of the barrel and release ofthe handle, which is then set in motion by the unwinding end of thespring.

2l. In a controller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanismincluding a movable contact in said 'casing and a mechanism in saidvcasing for operating the movable contact a predetermined variablenumber of times, said mechanism comprising a spring having a winding andan unwinding end, a barrel carrying the spring and engaging the windingend, a transmission mechanism engaging the unwinding end whereby themovement of the unwinding end is transmitted to the contact, anoperative handle associated with the barrel positioned outside ofthecasing whereby said barrel can be turned through variable angulardistances and retained in said displaced positions, means controllableby said handle whereby said transmission mechanism is locked when saidbarrel is moved by said handle and whereby said transmission is releasedwhen said handle is released, and a transmission travel controlconnecting the transmission tothe motor whereby the unwinding end of thespring is displaced the same amount as the winding end has beendisplaced by the movement of the controller by the handle.

22. In a controller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanismincluding a movable contact in said casing and a mechanism in saidcasing for operating the movable contact a predetermined variable numberof times, said mechanism comprising a coil spring having a winding andan unwinding end, a barrel carrying the spring and engaging the Windingend, a transmission mechanism engaging the unwinding end whereby themovement of the unwinding end is transmitted to the contact, anoperative handle associated with the barrel positioned outside of thecasing whereby said barrel can be turned through variable angulardistances and retained in said dislaced positions, means controllable bysaid andle whereby said transmission mechanism is locked when saidbarrel is moved by said handle and whereby said transmission is releasedwhen said handle is released, and a transmission travel controlconnecting the transmission to the motor whereby the unwinding end ofthe spring is dis laced the same amount as the winding en has beendisplaced by the movement of the controller by the handle, said barrelhavin means whereby a complete revolution of t e same can be made by thehandle before the transmission means becomes operative by the release ofthe handle.

l 23. In a controller, circuit make and break means including a movablecontact and a mechanism for operating the movable cohtact apredetermined variable number of times, said mechanism comprising amotor, transmission means between the same and the movable contact, anoperative handle for energizing the motor, said transmission having aratchet, .a pawl normally disengaged from said. ratchet, and meansoperable by the initial movement .of the handle for engaging the pawlwith the ratchet of the transmission during the movement of said =handlewhereby the motor is energized, said means energized by the initialmovement of the handle releasing automatically the pawl from the ratchetof the transmission when the handle is released, whereby the energizedmotor actuates the movable contact through the medium of thetransmission.

24. In a controller', a casing, a circuit make and break mechanismincluding a movable contact in said casing and a mechanism in saidcasing for operating the movable contact a predetermined variable numberof times, 'the mechanism comprising a spring having a winding and anunwinding end, a barrel carrying the spring and engaging the unwindingend, a transmission mechanlsm engaging the `unwinding end and adapted totransmit its movement to the contact, an operative handle associatedwith the barrel and positioned outside of the casing whereby said barrelcan be displaced through variable angular distances and retained in saiddisplaced positions, said transmission having a ratchet, a -pawl adaptedto engage the ratchet, a spring normally disengaging the pawl from theratchet, a crank for moving the pawl and means connecting the crank tothe handle whereby said pawl engages the ratchets of the transmissionwhile the barrel is turned by the handle, said spring disengaging thepawl from the ratchet of the transmission when the handle is released,thus leaving the transmission free to move.

25. 1n a controller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanismincluding a movable contact in said casing and a ymechationed outside ofthe casing whereby said barrel can be displaced angularly throughpredetermined variable angular distances. and retained in said displacedpositions, said transmission having aratchet, a pawl adapted to engagethe ratchet, a spring normally disengaging thepawl from the ratchet, acrank whereby the pawl is moved toward the ratchet, a ratchet associatedwith the handle, an arm associated with the ratchet, engaging the crank,a spring operated pawlL lookin g the second ratchet to the handle, saidoperating handle having means whereby the same has an initial movementon the barrel before engaging the same, the initial displacement of thehandle causing the first mentioned pawl to engage the ratchet of thetransmission through the-medium of the engagement of the crank with thearm of the ratchet associated with the handle, the said pawl remainingin engagement with the ratchet of the transmission during the movementof the handle, said spring disengaging the pawl from the ratchet of thetransmission when the handle is released.

26. In a controller, a casing, a circuit make and break mechanismincluding a movable contact in said casing, a mechanism in said casingfor operating the movable contact a predetermined variable number oftimes, said mechanism comprising a spring having a winding and anunwinding end, an operating handle on the outside of the casing havingan initial movement before engaging the winding end of the spring, meanscontrollable by the handle adapted to lock the unwinding end of thespring by the initial displacement of the handle and retain saidunwinding end locked until the handle is released, and means fortransmitting the movement of the unwinding end to the contact.

27. In a controller, a casing. a circuit make and break mechanismincluding a movable contact in said casing, a mechanism in said casingfor operating the movable contact a predetermined, variable number oftimes, said mechanism comprising a coil spring having a winding end andan unwinding end, an operating handle on the outside of the casinghaving an initial movement before engaging the winding end of thespring, means controllable by the of the spring by the initialdisplacement of locked until the handle is released, means fortransmitting the movement of the unwinding end to the contact, and aregulator associated with the means for transmitting the movement fromthe unwinding end to the contact whereby the speed thereof is regulated.

28. In a controller, a casing, a tubular standard in the axis thereofprojecting through the top of the casing, a circuit make and breakmechanism, including a movable contact, in said casing, a mechanism onsaid standard in said casing for operating the movable contact apredetermined variable number of times, a pair of auxiliary contactsoperable through the tubular standard for making and breaking thecircuit independently7 of the mechanism.

29. In a controller, a casing, a tilbular.`

standard in the axis thereof proJecting through the top of the casing, acircuit make and break mechanism in said casing, including a movablecontact and a mechanism on the standard in said casing for operating themovable contact a predeterminedvariable number of times, a resilientauxiliary vcontact facing the bore of the standard adjacent the bottomof the casing, a second auxiliary contact spaced from the first contact,a plunger in said tubular standard, and an insulating member connectingthe plunger to the movable contact.

30. In a controller,y a casing, a tubular standard in the axis thereofprojecting through the top of the casing, a-circuit make and breakmechanism in said casing, including a movable contact and a mechanism onthe standard for operating the movable contact a predetermined variablenumber of times, a pair of auxiliary contacts normally separated at thebottom of said casing in alinement with the bore of the standard, aplunger in said tubular standard whereby said auxiliary contacts can bebrought together,\and a member secured to the standard formingsimultaneously a retainer for the plunger in the standard and themechanism on the standard. s

31. In a controller, a casing, a movable contact therein, a springhaving Winding and unwinding ends in said casing, an operating handle onthe outside of said casing, means associated With the handle and springWherebythe said handle has an initial movement before engaging thewinding end of the spring, means associated with the un- Winding end ofthe spring for transmitting the movement thereof to said movablecontact, means controllable by the handle and operable by the initialdisplacement thereof whereby the transmission means arelocked until thehandle is released, and means automatically releasing said' transmissionwhensaid handle is released, whereby the said transmission becomesoperative under the action of the unwinding end of the spring.

32. In a controller, circuit make and break means including a movablecontact and a mechanism yfor operating the movable contact, said`mechanism comprising manually operable means, a spring having a Windingand an unwinding end, said Inanually operable means being adapted toengage the winding end of the spring after receiving `an initialdisplacement, means controlled by the initial movement of the manuallyoperable means whereby the unwinding end is locked while t-he windingend is moved, means for retractingr the manually operable means afterthe same has been released, whereby the winding end of the spring islocked while the unwinding end is free to move, and means fortransmitting the unwinding motion of the springto the movable contact.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT STERN. Witnesses:

B. Jarra, PinLIP D. RoLLHAUs.

